Diaries of a Lupus Chick — Marisa Zeppieri

I recently spent a month with my family in my hometown region of Long Island, New York. It was an enjoyable but extremely busy season of life, so when a family member recommended I visit a local salt cave, I was intrigued. I hadn’t previously heard of salt cave…

I think learning how lupus can permeate every aspect of your life is one of the most frustrating and challenging aspects of dealing with the disease. Unfortunately, intimacy and our sex lives typically take a hit at some point. Maintaining a certain level of intimacy with your partner while…

As lupus patients in the year 2018, we have incredible access to technology that can help us get through the day with this difficult and frustrating disease. One of my favorite technological advancements that helps me on a regular basis is the use of phone apps. Yes,…

Can trauma and extreme stress increase someone’s risk of being diagnosed with lupus? For more than a decade, I felt there is a clear link. I was happy recently to see this concept being studied by a team of physicians funded by the National Institutes of Health. The…

I get pretty excited when the new year is upon us, as it offers a clean slate and an opportunity to start fresh. The beginning of a new year is an empty vessel we can fill with new desires and goals. For those of us with chronic illness, our…

Fa la la la la ―I can’t believe the holidays are here again and another year has come and gone. Fall and winter are my favorite seasons, not only because of the cool crisp air, snowfall, holiday decorations and hot chocolate, but also because we can connect with friends…

I knew I was supposed to be doing something important, but for the life of me, I couldn’t remember what it was. For many of us who struggle with brain fog, this is a common scenario. But brain fog can go beyond just forgetting what you were supposed…

I remember the first time I learned about photosensitivity and how the blazing South Florida sun was affecting my disease state. For more than 20 years of my life, I lived in Fort Lauderdale, where almost every single day is hot and sunny, and often humid. Though my…

Over the years, sleep has become one of the most-discussed topics in the lupus community, and with good reason. How long we sleep, and the quality of our sleep, may often have the greatest influence on how our day will progress. Personally, I didn’t pay much attention to how…

Can substantial support, or lack of it, affect outcomes for a person living with chronic illness? Simply put, yes. Study after study is showing that support has a direct impact on disease outcomes for patients. After learning how important support was early on…

Ask anyone with a chronic illness, such as lupus, about some of the biggest challenges they face on a regular basis. One of the biggest issues you will hear about is employment. Working is tough – on one hand, we never know when a flare is going to occur…

A few years ago I returned to New York, my birthplace, in search of colder weather. That may seem strange, but for me the heat and sunlight of South Florida literally was putting my body in a full-time flare-up. And while some spoonies relish the warmth (and actually feel…